This year’s Spring Town Meeting drew a ecclectically dressed crowd of eager voters. Seated under large tents or on beach chairs and picnic blankets, residents gathered outside last Saturday to vote on 23 warrant articles.
Due to the pandemic, the meeting format resembled that of last year’s, with its outdoor seating, face masks, and socially distanced chairs. However, regulations were relaxed in comparison to the previous year. For instance, residents could remove their masks to speak and did not have to sanitize the microphones after each use.
Fewer COVID-19 restrictions left the substitute town moderator with one less job to deal with, as last year, Moderator Bill Barton had to continually remind voters to follow the new rules, like keeping their face masks on and wiping down the microphones.
Victor Normand is sworn in as temporary moderator by Town Clerk Marlene Kenney at the start of Spring Town Meeting. (Photo by Tim Clark)
Since Barton could not be at the meeting, Victor Normand, a longtime Harvard resident and participant in town government, filled in as moderator. Despite a few mishaps in the rules of procedure, Normand worked hard to keep the meeting running efficiently, ending after 4½ hours. He stayed on track even during the biggest distraction of the event––a huge gust of wind that sent a check-in tent and papers flying across the field.
Although Normand has not acted as town moderator before, he does have experience in such a position. As the chair of the Personnel Board and the Harvard-Devens Jurisdiction Committee, Normand is used to leading public meetings. “I’m often tasked with keeping things organized,” he told the Press, adding that he tries to be mindful of adhering to the appropriate meeting length. “We’re all busy and people appreciate … getting things done efficiently,” he said.
Normand said he has attended 40 to 50 town meetings, but acting as moderator gave him an entirely new view of the meeting. He said it was challenging to strike a balance between maintaining order and allowing time for debate. “I was torn between keeping the Town Meeting running smoothly and trying to give everyone an opportunity to speak their mind,” he said. Normand tried to do so by reminding residents that it is unnecessary to repeat a point if someone has already expressed the same idea.
Normand also said he felt it was important to remind people of all the hard work that went into planning the warrant articles. “These are not ideas born at Town Meeting,” he said. “Articles at Town Meeting come to the meeting after hours and weeks of work in town committees.”
A few of the articles garnered special interest from voters, such as questions of what to do about Bromfield House, roof maintenance for the old library, and senior housing bylaws. In fact, many people, among them Chester and Stephanie Hooper and Donald and Michele Girard, said they attended Town Meeting for these three articles in particular. Although she felt strongly about voting on articles 11, 14, and 20, Girard said she attends the meeting “every year she can.”
Bromfield House was addressed in Article 11 and sparked much controversy, with residents debating whether the town should keep, sell, or demolish the house, and whether it should separate the house and its property or keep them together. Lauren Derse, who lives across the street from Bromfield House, told the Press she came to the meeting specifically to vote on this issue. Derse also commented on the importance of town meetings. “Residents should have a say in what we finance and the changes made to the town,” she said. After voting on this article wrapped up, many voters began clearing out of the meeting early.
Another issue of interest was the development of Ayer Road’s commercial district, which fell under Article 8-7. Kathy Restic and Robert Brown told the Press they were particularly concerned about infrastructure and commercial development. Restic said she was interested in any articles pertaining to green initiatives as well. The commercial planning article was also highly controversial, with a number of issues raised about development, from finances to environmental concerns. Although this article also failed to pass, a close vote warranted a vote count and tested Normand’s skills in maintaining order and correct procedures.
Other voters attended the meeting with less specific agendas in mind, but with a passion for democracy. Peter Kelly-Joseph, for instance, stated simply that voting at Town Meeting is his “civic duty.” Caroline Golden-Kirkland and Luke Kirkland expressed a similar sentiment. “If participatory government is something we have the opportunity to take part in, we have a responsibility to do so,” Kirkland said. The two explained that they didn’t feel attached to any one article in particular, but like to “stay linked into town issues.”
The Spring Town Meeting concluded with the passing of 21 of the 23 warrant articles.
